Football - Clough looks for changes

Derby boss Nigel Clough has hinted at changes to his starting line-up against Barnsley on Tuesday night - if he has enough fit players available.

Jeff Hendrick is nursing a dead leg following the defeat to Blackburn while fellow midfielder Craig Bryson and leading scorer Jamie Ward continue to be assessed on a game-to-game basis as their respective groin and hamstring problems persist.

The Rams will check on Bryson, who was withdrawn after 73 minutes at Ewood Park on Saturday.

Midfielder Paul Coutts and striker Conor Sammon could see their places in the team under threat. Clough was not happy with the performance of either player against Rovers at the weekend, with Coutts hauled off at half time in the 2-0 defeat.

"A centre went across the face of goal in the first half and Paul Coutts, again, was standing 10 or 15 yards away from the ball instead of getting in there," said Clough. "We've only asked him for 41-and-a-half games now to get in there.

"Conor Sammon's holding up play wasn't good enough. We've got Mason Bennett and Jamie Ward who can play up there but it depends if Wardy is fit."

Left-back Gareth Roberts, fit again after a calf injury, fellow full-back Kieron Freeman and midfielders Michael Jacobs and Ben Davies are also options for Clough.